Flavonoids and aromatic compounds from the rhizomes of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zingiber zerumbet</Emphasis>

Repeated column chromatography of the CHCl3-soluble fraction of Zingiber zerumbet led to the isolation and identification of two aromatic compounds, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (1) and vanillin (2), and six kaempferol derivatives, kaempferol-3,4',7-O-trimethylether (3), kaempferol-3-O-methylether (4), kaempferol-3,4'-O-dimethylether (5), 4'-O-acetylafzelin (6), kaempferol-3-O-(4-O-acetyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside)], 2',4'-O-diacetylafzelin (7), kaempferol-3-O-(2,4-O-diacetyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside)], and 3',4'-O-diacetylafzelin (8), kaempferol-3-O-(3,4-O-diacetyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside)]. The structures of 1-8 were identified by analysis of spectroscopic data as well as by comparison with published values. This is the first report on the isolation of compounds 1-3 from this plant.     

A new sesquiterpene lactone from<Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia rubripes</Emphasis> nakai

The chromatographic separation of a methylene chloride extract of Artemisia rubripes led to the isolation of a new sesquiterpene lactone (3), together with four known compounds, a coumarin (2) and three terpenes (1, 4, and 5). Their structures were characterized to be 1beta,6alpha-dihydroxy-4(15)-eudesmene (1), scopoletin (2), 1alpha,4beta-dihydroxy-8alpha-acetoxy-guaia-2,10(14), 11(13)-triene-6,12-olide (3), 1alpha,4beta-dihydroxy-8alpha-acetoxy-guaia-2,9,11(13)-triene-6,12-olide (4), and beta-sitosterol-3-O-beta-D-glycoside (5) by spectroscopic means.     

A new pancreatic lipase inhibitor isolated from the roots of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Actinidia arguta</Emphasis>

A new coumaroyl triterpene, 3-O-trans-p-coumaroyl actinidic acid (1), as well as five known triterpenes, ursolic acid (2), 23-hydroxyursolic acid (3), corosolic acid (4), asiatic acid (5) and betulinic acid (6) were isolated from an EtOAc-soluble extract of the roots of Actinidia arguta. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated from interpretation of the spectroscopic data, particularly by extensive 1D and 2D NMR studies. All the isolates (1-6) were evaluated in vitro for their inhibitory activities on pancreatic lipase (PL). Of the isolates, the new compound 1 possessed the highest inhibitory activity on PL, with an IC(50) of 14.95 microM, followed by ursolic acid (2, IC(50) = 15.83 microM). The other four triterpenes (3-6) also showed significant PL inhibitory activity, with IC(50) values ranging from 20.42 to 76.45 microM.     

A new lignan glycoside from the fruits of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cornus kousa</Emphasis> Burg.

A new lignan glycoside, (7'S, 8'R)-dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol-4'-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (1), named cornuskoside A, was isolated from the fruits of Cornus kousa. The structure of the compound was determined by spectroscopy, including FABMS, UV, IR, (1)H-and 13C-NMR, DEPT and 2D-NMR (COSY, HSQC, and HMBC). This new lignan glycoside, along with its aglycone, (7'S, 8'R)-dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (3), and another lignan with a similar skeleton, (-)-balanophonin (2), which have been previously isolated from this plant, were evaluated for cytotoxicity in human cancer cell lines such as HeLa, MCF-7, SK-MEL-5, and SK-OV-3. Compounds 2 and 3 showed cytotoxicity against HeLa [IC50 = 29.1 microM (2), 45.5 microM (3)], MCF-7 [IC50 = 29.2 microM (2), 28.2 microM (3)], SK-MEL-5 [IC50 = 31.3 microM (2), 32.3 microM (3)], and SK-OV-3 [IC50 = 33.4 microM (2), 43.4 microM (3)] cell lines.     

A benzenoid from the stem of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acanthopanax senticosus</Emphasis>

Seven compounds were isolated from the stem of Acanthopanax senticosus by repeated column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated as isovanillin (1), (-)-sesamin (2), isofraxidin (3), (+)-syringaresinol (4), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5), eleutheroside B (6), and eleutheroside E (7) by spectral analysis. Among them, isovanillin (1) was isolated for the first time from the family Araliaceae.     

Cerebrosides and terpene glycosides from the root of<Emphasis Type="Italic">aster scaber</Emphasis>

Three cerebrosides 2, 3, and 5 and two terpene glycosides 1 and 4 have been isolated from the methanol extract of the root of Aster scaber. Their structures were determined as 3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-oleanolic acid methyl ester (1), (2S, 3S, 4R, 2'R, 8Z, 15'Z)-N-2'-hydroxy-15'-tetracosenoyl-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-4-hydroxy-8-sphingenine (2), (2S, 3S, 4R, 8Z)-N-octadecanoyl-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-4-hydroxy-8-sphingenine (3), 1alpha-hydroxy-6beta-O-beta-D-glucosyl-eudesm-3-ene (4), and (2S, 3S, 4R, 2'R, 8Z)-N-2'-hydroxy-hexadecanoyl-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-4-hydroxy-8-sphingenine (5) on the basis of spectroscopic methods.     

Cytotoxic constituents of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amanita subjunquillea</Emphasis>

As part of our systematic study of Korean toxic mushrooms, we have investigated the constituents of Amanita subjunquillea. The column chromatographic separation of the MeOH extract of A. subjunquillea led to the isolation of four ergosterols, two cerebrosides and four cyclopeptides. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods to be (22E,24R)-5alpha,8alpha-epidioxyergosta-6,9,22-triene-3beta-ol (1), (22E,24R)-5alpha,8alpha-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3beta-ol (2), (22E,24R)-5alpha,6alpha-epoxyergosta-8,22-diene-3beta,7beta-diol (3), (24S)-ergost-7-en-3beta-ol (4), 8,9-dihydrosoyacerebroside I (5), soyacerebroside I (6), beta-amanitin (7), phalloin (8), alpha-amanitin (9), and phalloidin (10). The compounds 1-6 and 8 were isolated for the first time from this mushroom. The isolated compounds were evaluated for the cytotoxicity against A549, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-2 and HCT15 cells. Compound 9 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against A549, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-2 and HCT15 with ED(50) values of 1.47, 0.26, 1.57 and 1.32 microM, respectively.     

Two new phenolic constituents of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Humulus japonicus</Emphasis> and their cytotoxicity test<Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vitro</Emphasis>

Two new phenolic constituents (4 and 6), together with four known constituents, methyl ferulate (1), eugenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), and (E)-resveratrol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5) were isolated from the MeOH extract of the aerial part sof Humulus japonicus. The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods to be divarin-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside (4), and lariciresinol-9-O-beta-xylopyranoside (6). Compounds 1 and 3 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against two human cancer cell lines (SK-OV-3 and HCT15) with ED50 values ranging from 8.84 to 8.79 microM.     

A new indolinepeptide from<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paecilomyces</Emphasis> sp. J300

A new indolinepeptide (3) was isolated, together with two known compounds, a cerebroside (1) and an alloxazine (2), from silkworm larvae infected with Paecilomyces sp. J300. On the basis of spectroscopic data, their structures were elucidated as (4E, 8E, 2S, 2'R, 3R)-N-2'-hydroxyhexadecanoyl-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-9-methyl-4, 8-sphingadienine (1), 7,8-dimethylalloxazine (2) and 3beta,5-dihydroxy-1-N-methyl-indoline-2beta-carbonyl amino-D-alanyl-erythro-beta-hydoxyisoleucinyl-glycine (3).     

GPR12 Selections of the metabolites from an endophytic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis> sp. Asociated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cistanches deserticola</Emphasis>

An endophytic Streptomyces sp. (AC-2) was isolated from the root of Cistanches deserticola Y.C.Ma.. Chemical investigations of the culture broth of AC-2 afforded fifteen compounds including K1115 A (1), tyrosol (2), phenylethylamine derivatives (3, 4), cyclic dipeptides (5-8), nucleosides and their aglycones (9-13), N-acetyltryptamine (14), and pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid (15). Only tyrosol can promote an increase of intracellular cAMP special on GPR12 transfected cells, such as CHO and HEK293, which means it may be a possible ligand for GPR12.     

The inhibitory principle of lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production from<Emphasis Type="Italic">inula britannica</Emphasis> var.<Emphasis Type="Italic">chinensis</Emphasis>

A sesquiterpene lactone, 1-O-acetyl-4R,6S-britannilactone (1) isolated from the flowers of Inula britannica L. var. chinensis (Rupr.) Reg. (Compositae), was found as an iNOS inhibitory constituent for the first time with an IC50 value of 22.1 microM which is more potent than the positive control, L-N6-(1-iminoethyl)lysine (IC50 = 33.7 microM). Structure of compound 1 was identified by 1D and 2D NMR experiments and by comparison with the reference standard.     

Two novel A-<Emphasis Type="Italic">seco</Emphasis>-rearranged lanostane triterpenoids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies sachalinensis</Emphasis>

Further chemical study led to two new A-seco-rearranged lanostane triterpenoid derivatives (1–2) and one known compound Abiesanolide C (3) from the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) soluble fraction of the MeOH extract of Abies sachalinensis needles. The new compounds were identified as 3,4-seco-8-(14→13R)abeo-17,13-friedo-9β-lanosta-4(28), 7, 14, 24-tetraen-26,23-olide-23-hydroxy-3-oic acid and methyl-3,4-seco-8-(14→13R) abeo-17,13-friedo-9β-lanosta-4(28), 7, 14, 24-tetraen-26,23-olide-23-hydroxy-3-oate, respectively. Structural determination of these compounds were carried out by the spectral studies especially by the two digital (2D)-NMR and high-resolution (HR)-MS experiences.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vitro</Emphasis> hepatoprotective compounds from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Suaeda glauca</Emphasis>

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the MeOH extract of Suaeda glauca yielded four phenolic compounds, methyl 3,5-di-O-caffeoyl quinate (1) and 3,5-di-O-caffeoyl quinic acid (2), isorhamnetin 3-O-beta-D-galactoside (3), and quercetin 3-O-beta-D-galactoside (4). Compounds 1 and 2 were hepatoprotective against tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in human liver-derived Hep G2 cells with the EC(50) values of 72.7+/-6.2 and 117.2+/-10.5 microM, respectively. Silybin as a positive control showed an EC(50) value of 82.4+/-4.1 microM.     

Polygosumic acid,a new cadinane sesquiterpene from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polygonum viscosum</Emphasis>, inhibits the growth of drug-resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> (MRSA) in vitro

Three new sesquiterpenes, 6-hydroxy-7-(1-methylethyl)-3,3a,6,7,8,8a-hexahydroazulene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid methyl ester (1, named viscozulenic acid methyl ester), 7-(1-methylethyl)-3,3a,6,7,8,8a-hexahydroazulene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid 1-methyl ester (2, named viscoazucinic acid) and 3-oxo-1-epi-sclerosporin (3, named polygosumic acid), have been isolated from the chloroform extract of the aerial parts of Polygonum viscosum by reversed-phase preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The structures of these compounds were established conclusively by ultraviolet (UV), mass spectrometry (MS) and a series of 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses. The anti-bacterial properties of 1–3 against 12 pathogenic bacterial strains have also been assessed by the rapid and robust microtitre-plate-based serial dilution method incorporating resazurin as an indicator of cell growth. Polygosumic acid was the most active among the sesquiterpenes and inhibited the growth of penicillin-resistant Escherichia coli (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC=0.05 mg/ml) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (MIC=0.10 mg/ml).     

A new cytotoxic prenylated dihydrobenzofuran derivative and other chemical constituents from the rhizomes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Atractylodes lancea</Emphasis> DC

A new prenylated dihydrobenzofuran derivative (1), was isolated from the rhizomes of Atractylodes lancea DC (Asteraceae), along with ten known compounds, including atractylenolide II (2), phi-taraxasteryl acetate (3), taraxerol acetate (4), beta-sitosterol (5), stigmasterol (6), beta-eudesmol (7), atractylenolide III (8), atractylenolide IV (9), daucosterol (10), and stigmasterol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (11). The structure of the new compound (1) was elucidated as trans-2-hydroxyisoxypropyl-3-hydroxy-7-isopentene-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-carboxylic acid by the combination of 1D, 2D NMR analysis and mass spectrometry, and it was the first reported 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran derivative having a carboxyl residue at C-5 and an isopentene moiety at C-7 contemporaneously. In addition, compound 1 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines HCT-116 and MKN-45.     

Terpene and phenolic constituents of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactuca indica</Emphasis> L.

We isolated seven terpenes and five phenolic constituents from the aerial parts of Lactuca indica L. using column chromatographic separation of its MeOH extract. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods to be trans-phytol (1), 3beta-hydroxyglutin-5-ene (2), 5,6-epoxy-3-hydroxy-7-megastigmen-9-one (3), 11beta-13-dihydrolactucin (4), 2-phenylethyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), cichorioside B (6), 1-hydroxylinaloyl-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), (6S,9S)-roseoside (8), benzyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9), 2-(3'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)-ethanol (10), 3-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxymethyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-7-methoxy-dihydrobenzofuran (11), and (+)-taraxafolin-B (12). Compounds 1-3, 5, and 7-12 were isolated for the first time from this plant source. The isolated compounds were tested for cytotoxicity against four human tumor cell lines in vitro using a Sulforhodamin B bioassay.     

Pytochemical constituents of the aerial parts from<Emphasis Type="Italic">solidago virga-aurea var. gigantea</Emphasis>

The chromatographic separation of the MeOH extract of the aerial parts of Solidago virga-aurea var. gigantea M(IQ) (Compositae) led to the isolation of six terpenoids and four phenolic compounds, trans-phytol (1), ent-germacra-4(15),5,10(14)-trien-1alpha-ol (2), beta-amyrin acetate (3), ent-germacra-4(15),5,10(14)-trien-1beta-ol (4), beta-dictyopterol (5), oleanolic acid (6), kaempferol (7), kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (8), methyl 3,5-di-O-caffeoyl quinate (9), and 3,5-di-O-caffeoyl quinic acid (10). Their structures were established by chemical and spectroscopic methods. Compounds 4, 5, and 10 showed moderate cytotoxicity against five cultured human tumor cell lines in vitro with its ED50 values ranging from 1.52 to approximately 18.57 microg/mL.     

Antibacterial coumarins from<Emphasis Type="Italic">Angelica gigas</Emphasis> roots

Systematic fractionation of Angelica gigas roots led to the isolation of linear furano(pyrano)coumarins such as bergapten (1), decursinol angelate (2), decursin (3), nodakenetin (4) and nodakenin (5). The antibacterial activities of those compounds against pathogenic bacteria were investigated. Among the compounds tested, decursinol angelate (2) and decursin (3) exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis with the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 50 and 12.5 microg/mL, respectively.     

A new lignan from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphanamixis polystachya</Emphasis>

A new lignan, polystachyol (1), two lignan glycosides, lyoniside (2) and nudiposide (3), and a sterol, ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one (4), with stigmasterol, and oleic and linoleic acids, have been isolated from an MeOH extract of the dried bark of Aphanamixis polystachya. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by analysis of 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic data. The compounds did not have growth inhibitory activity against HeLa cells.